"Genius Scan" is a free app for iOS and Android devices that works very well for snapping a picture and emailing as a PDF.

Keep the checklist and use to ensure all required documents and materials are assembled for the checkride. Note that some items are not applicable to every checkride: e.g. graduation certificate for a Part 61 applicant, or IFR aircraft inspections for a private pilot checkride. The applicant does not need to bring the checklist to the checkride.

CRITICAL NOTE: The applicant must be able to log into IACRA at the time of the checkride. This requires the applicant have with them their username and password. Note that the username is different than the FTN.

Many checkrides require a pre-planned cross-country flight be assigned. If this is the case, two sets of weight and balance data must be calculated:

One for the planned cross-country with an assigned (by me) passenger and baggage load, and as much fuel as could be loaded in the assigned scenario, and

One for the actual checkride loading conditions. For actual weight and balance purposes, I am 180 pounds, and will have a 10 pound bag with me. Please have the aircraft fully fueled, if this is possible given WB restrictions.

Helpful Information

All checkrides are conducted according to the applicable airman certification standards (ACS) for private and instrument checkrides, and practical test standards (PTS) for commercial and ATP checkrides. It is imperative that the instructor and applicant are intimately familiar with the content of the current ACS/ PTS to be properly prepared for the checkride. Please note that the contents of ACS/ PTS change frequently. ACS/ PTS can be downloaded for free from the FAA website here.

I have found that some areas in the ACS/ PTS are consistently "under-prepared" by applicants. I have highlighted areas most frequently missed- download here:

Special Emphasis Areas (SEA): (from the PTS preamble) Examiners shall place special emphasis upon areas of aircraft operations considered critical to flight safety. A given special emphasis area may not be specifically addressed under a given Task. All areas are essential to flight and will be evaluated during the practice test. Please understand that these SEA are evaluated during the checkride, in addition to rating-specific tasks. I have compiled a detailed outline of SEA here. Please ensure the applicant is familiar with this list and prepared to demonstrate competency in all SEA. Note that single pilot resource management (SRM), an SEA, has six detailed sub-areas.

Some checkrides required examination of airport signs and markings. I typically ask questions from this FAA publication.

Reminder for instrument rating checkrides. The ACS requires that:

If the aircraft has an IFR GPS unit, the database must be current, and one of the non-precision approaches must be a GPS/ RNAV approach.

If the aircraft has an autopilot, one of the non-precision approaches must be flown via the autopilot.

One of the non-precision approaches must be flown without the use of the primary flight instrument indicators. For conventional instrumented aircraft this will typically be accomplished by failure of aircraft vacuum system, or attitude indicator alone if the AI is electrically powered. For glass cockpit aircraft, this will be accomplished by simulating failure of the primary flight display (PFD).

Special note for instructors on endorsements:

For most checkrides, two logbook/ training record endorsements are required by the FAA:

One is required by part 61.39(6), and must include specific language. An example of an endorsement that contains all the required language is:"I certify that ________________________ has received and logged training time within 2 calendar months preceding the month of application in preparation for the practical test; is prepared for the required practical test; and has demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas in which the applicant was deficient on the airman knowledge test."

The other is required by the section of FAR 61 that is relevant to the rating being applied for. Using the example of a Private Pilot applicant, the relevant FAR is 61.103(f), and an example of a compliant endorsement is:"I certify that I conducted the training in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and certify that ______________________ is prepared for the required practical test."

If all of the required pieces are not present, the checkride can not begin. In particular, the language I find most often missing is either the certification relating to training in the past 2 months, or the language stating the applicant is now satisfactory in the areas that were deficient on the knowledge exam. Please do NOT simply use the blank endorsements commonly found in the back of logbooks without confirming they are complete.